WELLNESS REVIEWS
Radlink PET and Cardiac Imaging
Centre BY DENNIS TOH
About RadLink Diagnostic Group
T he RadLink Diagnostic
Group consists of 4
Diagnostic Imaging centres, a PET/CT
imaging centre and a Cyclotron facility.
The Diagnostic Imaging centres provide
conventional radiological services whilst
the PET/CT Imaging Centre provides state
of the art PET/CT and radionuclide scans.
The cyclotron facility produces
radioisotopes for the PET/CT scans.
RadLink Diagnostic Imaging (S) Pte Ltd
is located at Paragon Medical and pro-
vides radiological services such as X-rays,
ultrasonography, mammograms, MRI
and CT scans. It is the main diagnostic
imaging centre. The other three smaller
diagnostic imaging centres provide gen-
eral radiological services such as X-rays,
mammograms and ultrasonography.
These are catered for the general practi-
tioner market.
The cyclotron facility (Singapore
Radiopharmaceuticals Pte Ltd) is situated
at the Singapore Science Park. It is in-
volved in the production of PET
radiopharmaceuticals that are used for
PET imaging.
With this network of imaging centres, the
RadLink Group is positioned to serve the
needs of general medical practitioners,
specialists, local and foreign patients.
What are the uses of a PET/CT scan?
Uses in Cancer
To assess the extent of
cancer spread.
To detect recurrent disease.
To determine whether a tumor
is benign or cancerous e.g. in
lung nodules.
To monitor the response to
treatment.
A PET/CT scan replaces multiple
medical imaging procedures with a single
study.
92 • EXQUISITE SEPTEMBER 10
What is a PET/CT scan?
PET imaging is a form of metabolic or
functional imaging that is able to image
and study the various metabolic func-
tions within the body at a cellular level.
This is distinct from MRI or CT scans
which identify pathology and diseases
primarily through the detection of
structural or anatomical changes within
the body.
lung cancer effect of treatment
Abnormal metabolic changes within the
body tend to occur earlier than structural
changes, therefore PET imaging pro-
vides earlier detection of many types of
cancer and a more accurate assessment
of the extent of cancer spread within the
body as compared with conventional
radiological scans such as MRI and CT
scans. PET imaging is useful in the stag-
ing and restaging of cancers, detection
of recurrent disease as well as the moni-
toring the treatment response to cancer
therapy.
With the advancement of technology, the
second generation integrated PET/CT
scanners now offer the possibility of
Uses in Cardiology
RadLink offers Rubidium cardiac PET
scan which is a rapidly emerging
technology in the field of myocardial
perfusion imaging. The Rubidium cardiac
PET scan is a non-invasive test that is
more accurate than standard MIBI
myocardial perfusion imaging. It is a faster
procedure resulting shorter waiting times
for the patient.
Its main uses are:
For the diagnosis and assessment of
the physiological significance of
coronary artery disease.
combined PET/CT imaging. This allows
doctors to obtain both metabolic and
structural information regarding the
disease in a single PET/CT scan.
Apart from the imaging of cancers, PET
imaging is also useful for the assessment
of coronary artery diseases, a wide range
of musculoskeletal diseases and certain
neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s
dementia.
RadLink offers Singapore’s first 64-Slice
PET/CT scanner with Time-of-Flight ca-
pability. This advanced PET/CT scanner
with Time-of-Flight technology enhances
image quality by reducing noise and pro-
viding higher sensitivity. Advantages of
this capability include lower radiation
doses, shorter scan times and enhanced
image quality.
Rubidium Heart scan
For risk assessment and
stratification of patients
with coronary artery diseases.
It helps the cardiologist to decide
if the patient requires
further coronary revascularization
procedures.
For the pre-operative cardiac
assessment of patients under-
going major surgery.
For monitoring the effect of
medical treatment.
For assessment of patients after
coronary revascularization.
ready for harvesting
How is the PET/CT scan conducted? Are you on prescribed medications?

For an oncological PET scan, a small amount of radioactive
tracer is injected into your bloodstream. The radioactive tracer
circulates in your body while you relax in a room for approxi-
mately 60 minutes (also known as the uptake period). After that,
you will be ready for the PET/CT scan which takes approxi-
mately 20 to 30 minutes.
If you have any questions regarding specific medications,
please call our centre. RadLink will contact you prior to your
appointment to discuss preparation instructions and prescrip-
tion medications.
When will my results be ready?

The PET/CT report will be communicated to your physician

within 24 hours of your scan. Your physician will share the
results with you. Alternatively, you may collect the PET/CT re-
port yourself.

Is a PET/CT scan safe?

Yes, the risks associated with PET/CT scanning are minimal

and the clinical benefit far outweighs the risk. The radioactive
PET tracers are short-lived and leave your body quickly. The
radiation exposure associated with a PET/CT scan is similar to
that associated with conventional CT scans.

What should I do to prepare?

PET bone scan

For your appointment, please bring along your referral

letter, all previous scan reports and images.

Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment

in comfortable clothing. The radioactive decay is
very time sensitive.Hence, it is important that you to arrive
on time.
If you are diabetic, please call RadLink for special
instructions.

Do not eat or drink anything except water within 6

hours of your appointment.

Drink 2 glasses of water the morning of your scan. If

your scan is scheduled in the afternoon, please drink
several additional glasses of water before your scan.

Do not perform any vigorous physical activity within 24

hours of your appointment.

Your appointment will usually take approximately 2

Contact Information
hours. After the PET scan, you may resume your normal RadLink PET and Cardiac Imaging Centre Pte Ltd
activities. Address 290 Orchard Road Operating Hours Monday - Friday:
#08-06 Paragon Medical 8.30am-5.00pm
Singapore 238859 Saturday:
Tel (+65) 6836 1318 8.30am-12.30pm
Fax (+65) 6836 1381

EXQUISITE SEPTEMBER 10 • 93